Monthly sewer rates in the Sacramento area could triple if sanitation officials conform to state-mandated upgrades.

Stan Dean is chief engineer for the Sacramento Regional County
Sanitation District. This week he told the Sacramento City
Council…including Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy…that most homeowners
pay a monthly sewer bill of $20.

Stan Dean: "That $20 could escalate to $50 even as much as the
$60 a month range."

Sandy Sheedy: "This is just reprehensible. In an economic
downturn that we're in right now, the worst thing we can do is
raise it that high."

But Dean says that's what'll happen if the Sanitation District
is forced to comply with much stricter water standards proposed by
the state. He says they'd have to put $2 billion worth of upgrades
into the treatment plant which is off Franklin Boulevard in Elk
Grove.

Michael Boccadoro is with the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta
which represents San Joaquin Valley farmers who depend on Delta
water. He says the wastewater treatment facility is discharging too
much ammonia which finds its way into the Delta and hurts crops and
wildlife.

"Increased costs particularly in a time of economic recession
are never welcomed but in this case they're highly necessary."

Boccadoro says the state is only requiring Sacramento to do what
most other water agencies already do.

"And that is a process of more significant treatment that
reduces the discharges that are harmful to the environment and
public health."

Friday is the deadline for people to turn in written comments
about the issue to the Central Valley Water Quality Control Board.
A public hearing is expected to take place in December. SOC